Broken (Endurance) (30 page)

Uriel smiled. Recognizing his uncle, he put his arms out for Tamarius expecting to be picked up. Tamarius lifted him out of the highchair and walked across the room with him, talking to him gently as he hugged him.

The remainder of the evening went by with everyone joking and laughing about life at King Solomon College. Tamarius and Makayla decided to leave once Uriel fell asleep in his uncle’s arms.

The day came for the Martinez clan to head home for the holidays. They prepared to leave a day early as Max and Mei wanted extra time to go shopping before returning to college after Thanksgiving break.  Samuel and Renee watched jealously as Max and Mei left the village with Tamarius and Makayla, looking like the perfect family. Renee didn't know what to do with herself. Their plan didn't really seem to do anything but cause her to develop new feelings for Samuel.

"Sam, I think I will take you up on that offer." Renee turned to him.

"Hua, what?" Samuel replied, not remembering the offer he’d made for her to come home with him for Thanksgiving break.

"Thanksgiving break, you idiot." She now felt stupid for asking.

"Oh, yeah, sure it will be fun," he mumbled as he watched Mei walking away with her son in her arms. He wished in his heart she were holding his son.

"I'm going to head up to the main office and call my mom to let her know." Renee walked off. She didn't want to see Samuel ogling Mei any longer.

Aboard the plane Tamarius looked out to see the sun working its way into the horizon. Their plane took off from the private runway on the island and Tamarius sat back, relieved to get a break from all the meetings.  He’d get to enjoy the company of his family.

He smiled at his nephew who was buckled securely in his car seat. He didn’t seem happy about it and didn’t respond to his mom and dad’s attempts to calm him down. He was not having it. Max and Mei could do nothing but shake their heads and let him cry.

It would be a long flight back home. Tamarius had spoken to Maxwell before they’d left and he wanted him to be there to pick them up. Tamarius wanted Maxwell to speak with his son and start repairing their relationship.  Many thoughts filled Tamarius' mind as he worried about his family and his wife. In the end, all he could do was put it in God's hands.

Makayla looked at Tamarius who stared intently out of the airplane window. Her mind began to wander as she thought about what could be going through his mind to cause him to be so deep in thought.

Tamarius began to smile as he felt her energy gently probing his mind. He decided to send her a message as he thought the words, I love you Makayla Martinez.  Her eyes lit up and she blushed as they laughed quietly at each other.

"Why are you so quite? What has you so withdrawn?" Makayla asked him.

Tamarius smiled at her, tilting his head to one side and admiring her. "You...you consume me."

Makayla just shook her head, opened up a magazine and began reading. Hours later the plane finally landed in Central Florida. Tamarius was happy to see the limo already there and his tall, lean brother standing outside the limo watching as the plane landed. 

It had been months since Maxwell had seen the family's private jet. Tamarius and Makayla got more use out of it than he did.

Maxwell waited eagerly for them to put the stairway in place and open the door. When they did, he flew up the stairs to greet his family. He was bursting with joy when he got his first glimpse of his son pulling his grandson out of the car seat. He immediately gave his brother and new sister-in-law a congratulatory hug and then made his way over to Max.

After what Tamarius had told him about Max’s feelings, Maxwell felt remorseful for not being a better father. He quietly stepped behind Max who was busy soothing his crying son. He gently tapped Max on the shoulder and Max spun around to face him.

He smiled as he gave him a hug, trying not to upset Uriel too much.

"Let me take him." Maxwell said, reaching for Uriel.

Max smiled as he handed Uriel to his father. Mei stepped forward to stick Uriel's pacifier in his mouth. She smiled at her father-in-law. "Hey, Dad.” Mei smiled as Maxwell leaned down to kiss Mei's cheek.

"I missed you guys." Maxwell hugged his grandson. "We should get him home in the comfy crib that’s been waiting for him." He headed for the door.

Max picked up their carry-on bags and he followed his wife and father off the plane. After waiting for the crew to unpack their luggage and repack it in the limo they were all off.

"Where is Cressida?" Tamarius asked.

"She’s home. She felt she would be in the way," Maxwell answered.

"Cressida?" Max asked.

Maxwell laughed to himself. "Yeah, Cressida and I are sort of seeing each other."

"Dad," Max and Mei yelled, causing Uriel to jump.

"Dad, you and Cressida... how... when... how...? Wait I don't want to know how. When... I… I don't... Cressida?" Max said baffled.

"Yes, and she will be living with us," Maxwell added.

"We’re not even home yet and already I’m having a heart attack," Mei mumbled to Max.

"See, I told you. We leave them alone for one minute and this one gets married and that one's playing house," Max said to Mei under his breath.

"Parents," Mei replied with feigned indignation.

"You just can't take your eyes off of them," Max added.

"What are you two whispering about?" Tamarius asked, amused by Max and Mei.

"Nothing," Mei replied with a smile.

"There is more," Maxwell said.

"Max, I can't. This is too much," Mei joked, grabbing Max's arm.

"It's okay, baby. Just plug your ears. I’ll handle it for you," Max joked back.

"Both of you are stupid," Tamarius said as Makayla and he laughed softly.

Maxwell shook his head as he laughed, remembering why he enjoyed the company of his family so much. "I asked Cressida to marry me."

Max and Mei became quiet as they stared intensely at Maxwell, waiting for him to complete his statement.

"And she said...yes."

"Congratulations, Dad. I'm so happy for you," they exclaimed.

"Did you set a date or are you guys going to be like these two and elope?" Max asked, pointing to his uncle and Makayla.

"Hey, we didn't elope." Tamarius laughed.

"My wife and I were not there, so therefore, you eloped," Max replied.

"Whatever." Tamarius shrugged.

"We haven't decided yet, but I don't think we want the whole big dramatic thing," Maxwell replied.

"It must be an old people thing," Mei said turning to Max.

"Yeah, I think you’re right," Max replied.

"Old?" Makayla protested.

"Can we kick them from the limo?" Tamarius exclaimed to his brother.

"Go ahead. Just leave the baby. There's still hope for him,” Maxwell said jokingly.

"Honey, we need to be careful. They must have gotten new batteries for their hearing aids. They’re testy tonight," Max joked back.

"I'm gonna kill him," Makayla teased.

"Stand down, honey. I got this one. He better sleep with one eye open tonight," Tamarius said, placing his hand on Makayla's knee.

"Uncle, Uncle, calm down.  I wouldn't want you to have a stroke or put out a hip or something," Max snapped back with mock anger.

By the time the limo pulled into the circular driveway everyone was laughing hysterically.

Winston opened the limo door, smiling at the contagious laughter. "Good evening everyone," he greeted.

"Good evening, Winston," everyone replied as they stepped out of the limo.

"Ah, young master Max and beautiful Mrs. Martinez, how is college?" Winston asked.

"Exhausting. We need a vacation," Mei replied, handing Uriel to Winston’s waiting arms as she shifted to get out of the limo.

"Yes, Cora has called six times already," Winston replied.

"Oh, my gosh. I gotta call her." Mei ran into the house.

"Winston, long time no see," Tamarius greeted Winston as he held his hand out to help Makayla as she stepped out of the limo.

"Yes, and I see a congratulations is in order. Welcome to the family, Mrs. Martinez."

"Thank you, Winston." Makayla blushed.

Cressida stood by the entryway, waiting for Maxwell to come inside. She greeted everyone as they passed, all congratulating her
on her engagement. She was
flattered by all the warmth that was shown to her. Her eyes lit up when she saw Maxwell walk in carrying Uriel's car seat and talking to Winston who carried Uriel.

"Oh, my goodness. Look at how big he's gotten." Cressida walked over to Uriel.

"Here you go." Winston handed Uriel to Cressida.

"You want me to hold him?" Cressida said, taking him.

Maxwell placed Uriel's car seat by the door before walking over to kiss Cressida. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Good."

Maxwell and Cressida slowly walked toward the family room, laughing as they saw Mei and Max running around with their cell phones, both talking to Cora and Nelson.

"See what happens to Mom and Dad when they get cell phones," Maxwell said to his grandson. Uriel began to get fussy as he watched his parents pass back and forth without even looking in his direction. They relaxed in the family room while everyone else got settled in.

"I spoke to the detectives," Cressida said as she readjusted Uriel on her lap.

"Did they get the results back yet?" Maxwell asked.

"No, but they looked into the whole chimera thing and were able to add it as new evidence into the case."

"That's excellent," Maxwell replied.

"I won't be representing him, of course; not after what he did."

"Cressida... there is something I didn't tell you before," Maxwell began.

"There you are!" Max said as he entered the room smiling at his son.

Uriel excitedly kicked his legs and reached for his dad. "Aw, is that your daddy?" Cressida said to Uriel while pointing to Max.

"Mommy just took off." Max picked his son. "Aunt Cora and Mommy are in gossip mode," Max joked while kissing his son
'
s chubby cheeks. "Cressida, I think that it's great that you and my dad are getting married. I hope we don't scare you away."

"Thank you, Max," Cressida said.

"I'm going to give him a bath and put him to bed," Max said to them as he walked out.

"You know, I didn't expect everyone to be so accepting of our engagement, especially Max," Cressida said to Maxwell.

"Yeah, well you should have heard him in the car calling me and his uncle old," Maxwell said. "Don't let his kindness fool you. He's a little comedian."

"Hey, it's good to laugh," Cressida replied. "And you don't look old."

"I don't look like a grandpa?" Maxwell smiled.

"No...not at all."